Mirror - Chavín Culture, Peru - 1000 - 200 Bc

MIRROR 
Chavín culture, Peru
1,000 - 200 BC 
Black anthracite
H. 18 cm, W 19 cm, D 5.5 cm 

A circular mirror in black anthracite, cut and polished to reflect light. Its edges are wide and thick, and its hollowed-out reverse is left rough. 

This particular object refers to the importance of underground galleries in Chavín culture. Light was made possible in these dark corridors thanks to a cleverly placed set of mirrors. These multiple reflections also enabled the priests to intensify the initiation experience for pilgrims during a rite by combining sound effects - using pututu - with visual effects. 

Bibliography: a similar example is kept at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Santiago, Chile.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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